Baby Daddy canceled at Freeform … because of Black-ish spin-off?
Overnight, the news first surfaced that the long-running comedy would be ending after its spring run and its 100th episode. This was stunning in many ways, and it made many out there wonder whether or not the network was just trying to get it to the same point in its run as Melissa & Joey.
However, things were a bit more complicated as it turns out. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Freeform originally was intending to continue the series for a back half of the current season, but changed their plan after the decision was made to pick up that black-ish spin-off starring Yara Shahidi after ABC opted to not move forward to it. As reported recently, the network decided that the show skewed too young for their network — which is really something that they could’ve figured out before ordering it in the first place. As a result of that, it’s fair to wonder if Freeform long put themselves in a position to pick up the show in the event ABC passed.
Even with this news, it feels like a mistake to think that Baby Daddy would have run on the network much longer than another ten or so episodes anyway. Remember here that Freeform is not in the business of keeping shows on the air for longer than six or seven seasons. Pretty Little Liars is ending with season 7, and it’s the most successful show in the ABC Family / Freeform family. It’s fair to be bummed out, but also be grateful for everything that aired! Six seasons and a hundred episodes is an incredible achievement for any cable series, especially a comedy given that so many of them only last a few seasons (if that) in this modern era.
What do you think about the decision to cancel Baby Daddy on Freeform’s part, and will you miss the show? Sound off in the comments below!
Meanwhile, be sure to head over here to secure some further renewal / cancellation news from this week. (Photo: Freeform.)